Prone position support apparatus

ABSTRACT

A prone position support apparatus for use with new or existing mattresses or support surfaces having a rigid frame and a soft upper surface. The soft upper surface has an aperture for receiving a user&#39;s face. Contoured arm rests for supporting a user&#39;s arms are provided. At least one optional inflatable bladder can be provided to fill void spaces when face-down positioning is not desired.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None

STATEMENTS AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

None

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus which permits users to lie down and/or sleep comfortably in a face-down, prone position. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus which can be incorporated into new mattresses, or affixed to existing support surfaces, which allows users to lie down and/or sleep comfortably in a face-down, prone position.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Many people suffer from neck or back conditions. Such conditions frequently make sleeping on their back or side(s) very painful. In many cases, these individuals can often obtain some measure of relief by lying and/or sleeping in a face-down, prone position. Other individuals may not experience pain but may simply prefer lying or sleeping in a prone position. However, conventional mattresses and other sleeping surfaces make lying down and/or sleeping in such a face-down, prone position uncomfortable and, thus, very difficult.

Specialized tables or platforms have been developed to allow users to lie down in a prone position for massages and/or spinal adjustments. However, these tables and/or platforms are not designed for normal sleeping, and would not be practical as replacements or alternatives for conventional mattresses or other sleep support surfaces.

Thus, there is a need for a mattress or other support surface which can comfortably accommodate a user lying down and/or sleeping in a face-down, prone position. Further, there is a need for an apparatus which can quickly and easily convert existing conventional mattresses, beds and other similar structures to permit comfortable lying down and/or sleeping in a face-down, prone position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a mattress having a head-piece that permits a user to sleep in a face-down, prone position. Said head-piece is ideally located near the end of said mattress where a user rests his or her head. The head-piece of the present invention includes a rigid frame having a substantially planar upper surface for supporting a user's head. Said substantially planar upper surface, which is ideally a padded, and has an aperture for receiving a user's face. Said rigid frame includes a central cavity or void space within such frame. An unobstructed airway extends from outside said rigid frame to the aperture in the upper surface of said rigid frame. As a result, a user having his or her face resting on the aperture in the upper surface of said rigid frame can breathe freely with little if any obstruction. Arm rests are provided on both sides of said rigid frame to allow a user's arms to be comfortably supported while in an extended position. Optional inflatable bladders are provided to fill voids existing in and around said rigid frame and arm rests when sleeping in a prone position is not desired.

Although a preferred embodiment is described as a being incorporated within a mattress or other similar product, it is to be observed that the present invention can also be in the form of an apparatus that can be attached, affixed or added on to an existing mattress or other sleep support structure. Moreover, although the present invention is particularly useful for sleeping, it can also be used for applications in which sleep is not a primary objective. For example, the invention of the present invention can be used in connection with couches, medical examination tables and the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an overhead perspective view of a conventional prior art mattress.

FIG. 2 depicts a side view of a user sleeping in a face-down prone position on a conventional prior art mattress.

FIG. 3 depicts a side view of a user sleeping in a prone position on a conventional prior art mattress.

FIG. 4 depicts an overhead perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention employed in connection to a conventional mattress.

FIG. 5 depicts an exploded perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 6 depicts a side view of a user sleeping in a face-down, prone position using the present invention.

FIG. 7 depicts an overhead perspective view of the present invention including optional bladders which are not inflated.

FIG. 8 depicts an overhead perspective view of the present invention including optional bladders which are inflated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts an overhead perspective view of a conventional mattress that is well known in the prior art. Mattress 10 is generally rectangular in shape, and defines a substantially planar, substantially horizontal upper surface 11. In most instances, conventional prior art mattresses, such as mattress 10, contain springs, padding and/or some combination thereof (not shown in FIG. 1), to give upper surface 11 a desired level of support and cushioning. Although mattress 10 can be used for any number of activities, substantially planar, substantially horizontal upper surface 11 is frequently used as a support surface for sleeping or resting.

FIG. 2 depicts a side view of user 12 in a face-down, prone position on upper surface 11 of conventional, prior art mattress 10. Upper surface 11 of mattress 10 provides support for the body of user 12. However, in this configuration, the head of user 12 must rest directly on upper surface 11 of mattress 10. In this position, the face of user 12 is in direct contact with upper surface 11 of mattress 10, resulting in said mattress 10 obstructing the normal breathing activity of user 12. Further, the arms of user 12 must be maintained in an uncomfortable position, typically to the sides of user 12, on upper surface 11 of prior art mattress 10.

FIG. 3 depicts an alternate side view of user 12 in a prone position on conventional prior art mattress 10. Upper surface 11 of mattress 10 supports the body of user 12. Unlike the face-down position depicted in FIG. 2, the head of user 12 is turned to the side. Even in this position, breathing activity of user 12 is still at least partially obstructed. Moreover, this position results in additional strain being applied to the neck and/or upper back of user 12. In many cases, this position is painful and therefore undesirable for user 12.

FIG. 4 depicts an overhead perspective view of support apparatus 20 of the present invention. Support apparatus 20 of the present invention is ideally installed at the head of a mattress, such as conventional prior art mattress 10. It is to be observed that support apparatus of the present invention can be used in connection with an existing sleep surface such as conventional prior art mattress 10 or, alternatively, support apparatus 20 can be incorporated in a mattress or other sleep surface as an integral component thereof. In certain cases, it is not possible to add support apparatus 20 of the present invention to an existing mattress (such as prior art mattress 10) because said support apparatus 20 may not fit within a standard bed frame. In such cases, it is generally beneficial to utilize a version of support apparatus 20 that is incorporated or contained entirely within the dimensions of a standard mattress.

FIG. 5 depicts an exploded view of the primary components of the support apparatus 20 of the present invention. Support apparatus 20 includes rigid frame 21 which is comprised of a plurality of rigid support members 22. In the preferred embodiment, support frame 21 is generally in the shape of a cube or box, thereby defining a void space or cavity within such box. However, it is to be observed that rigid frame 21 can be formed in any number of different shapes or configurations that achieve the benefits described herein.

Still referring to FIG. 5, plate 23 is mounted to the upper portion of rigid frame 21, thereby defining a generally planar upper surface to said rigid frame 21. Aperture 23 extends through plate 23. In the preferred embodiment, the upper surface of plate 23 is padded or constructed of non-abrasive material, and aperture 23 is shaped to receive the face of a user. In most embodiments, aperture 24 is wider at one end furthest from the mattress or support surface, and smaller at the opposite end nearest to the mattress or support surface to accommodate the general shape of a user's face. Arm rests 25 are positioned along both sides of rigid frame 21. In the preferred embodiment, arm rests 25 have contoured upper surfaces 26. As such, said arm rests slope or taper generally in a direction away from mattress 10. Said arm rests 25 provide a comfortable surface for a user (such as user 12) to place his or her arms while oriented in a face-down, prone position using the device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 depicts a side view of user 12 in a face-down, prone position on upper surface 11 of conventional, prior art mattress 10. The head of user 12 rests on plate 23 which is in turn mounted on, and forms the upper surface of, rigid frame 21. The face of user 12, which is partially obscured from view in FIG. 6, is received within aperture 24 extending through plate 23. Aperture 24 provides a continuous channel into the internal void space or cavity defined by rigid frame 21. As such, air can flow freely into and out of said void space or cavity defined by rigid frame 21 and, thus, to user 12, via gaps existing between rigid members 22 of rigid frame 21. As a result, user 12 can breathe comfortably through support apparatus 20 while in a face-down, prone position as depicted in FIG. 6.

Arm rest 25 is positioned along one side of rigid frame 21. Although not shown in FIG. 6, an identical arm rest 25 is positioned on the opposite side of rigid frame 21. Arm rest 25 has contoured upper surfaces so that it tapers in a general direction away from mattress 10; said arm rest is at its thickest near mattress 10, and reduces in thickness in a direction away from said mattress 10. As shown in FIG. 6, user 12 can extend his or her arms comfortably over arm rests 25. Said arm rests are contoured to fit the normal shape of a user's arms, thereby permitting the user's arms to be maintained in a comfortable position along side of rigid frame 21.

FIG. 7 depicts an overhead perspective view of the present invention including at least one optional bladder 30 which is not inflated. Although not required, in the preferred embodiment, said at least one optional bladder 30 can be joined or affixed to rigid frame 21 or other component(s) of support apparatus 20. When not being used, said at least one uninflated bladder can be rolled or folded into the cavity or void space formed within rigid frame 21 for convenient storage.

FIG. 8 depicts an overhead perspective view of the present invention including at least one optional bladder 30 which is inflated. When inflated said optional bladders 30 fill the cavity or void space formed within rigid frame 21. Further, said inflated optional bladders 30 can fill the void space created by the upper surface of arm rests 25. As such, when inflated, said optional bladders 30 can be used to fill voids existing in said rigid frame and arm rests when sleeping in a prone position is not desired.

As discussed above, it is to be observed that the present invention can be constructed as an integral component of a mattress or other support member. In such cases, the invention generally comprises a mattress or other support member having a substantially planar upper surface. A continuous channel or passageway extends within said mattress or other support member; one end of said channel opens to an aperture in the upper surface of said mattress or support member, while the other end of said channel opens to an outer surface of said mattress or support member. Said channel provides a continuous passageway for unobstructed breathing when a user is in a face-down, prone position. When desired, such a mattress or other support member can include sloping arm rests along both sides of said upper breathing aperture.

The above disclosed invention has a number of particular features which should preferably be employed in combination, although each is useful separately without departure from the scope of the invention. While the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown and described herein, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise than herein specifically illustrated or described, and that certain changes in form and arrangement of parts and the specific manner of practicing the invention may be made within the underlying idea or principles of the invention 

1. A prone position support apparatus comprising: a. a support member having a substantially planar upper surface; b. an aperture in said substantially planar surface; c. a continuous channel within said support member, wherein said channel extends from said aperture to an outer surface of said support member; d. a first arm rest along one side of said aperture; and e. a second arm rest along the opposite side of said aperture from said first arm rest.
 2. The prone position support apparatus of claim 1, wherein said support member is a mattress.
 3. The prone position support member of claim 1, wherein said first and second arm rests have upper surfaces that slope away from said body support member.
 4. The prone position support member of claim 1 wherein said aperture is adapted to receive the face of a user.
 5. A prone position mattress comprising: a. an aperture in the upper surface of said mattress; b. a continuous channel within said mattress, wherein said channel extends from said aperture to an outer surface of said mattress; c. a first arm rest along one side of said aperture; and d. a second arm rest along the opposite side of said aperture from said first arm rest.
 6. The mattress of claim 5, wherein said first and second arm rests have upper surfaces that slope away from said mattress.
 7. The mattress of claim 5 wherein said aperture is adapted to receive the face of a user.
 8. A prone position support apparatus comprising: a. a support member having a substantially planar upper surface; b. a rigid frame having a central cavity; c. a plate having an aperture disposed on the upper portion of said rigid frame; d. a first arm rest along one side of said rigid frame; and e. a second arm rest along the opposite side of said rigid frame from said first arm rest.
 9. The prone position support apparatus of claim 8, wherein said first and second arm rests have upper surfaces that slope away from said mattress.
 10. The prone position support apparatus of claim 9, wherein said aperture is adapted to receive the face of a user.
 11. The prone position support apparatus of claim 9, wherein said plate has a padded upper surface. 